Karnataka to build 1 lakh homes for the poor

As Assembly polls are fast approaching, the state government is busy executing several projects. Group housing scheme for the economically weaker sections of the society seems to be the latest. The state cabinet on Wednesday approved construction of whopping 1 lakh houses in and around Bengaluru. Besides, the state cabinet also set a deadline of one-year for the completion of the project.

Law and Parliamentary minister TB Jayachandra said, “As announced in the budget, people from economic weaker section of society will be provided with housing facilities. The cabinet approved a major project of the housing department and 1 lakh houses will be built in a year.” There are demands that government must sanction these houses only to those who hail from Karnataka and not to those belonging to any other states.

Revealing that the project would cost a whopping Rs 6,000 crore, Jayachandra said, “Both the state and Centre will fund the project. Karnataka Housing Board (KHB), Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation and Slum Board will collectively build these mutli-storied houses.” When asked about the land to execute the project, Jayachandra said, “Currently, the revenue department is in possession of 4,000 to 4,500 acres recovered from encroachers. Further, this entire project would only require about 468 acres and it has already been identified by the Housing department.”

While the cabinet approved the Housing department’s proposal to raise Rs 500 crore loan from Hudco, funds to the tune of Rs 1,100 crore will be provided by the Centre. This apart, beneficiaries will also have to pay Rs 1 lakh as deposit, according to sources.